Where is Bryce Canyon?

Operating Hours In Bryce Canyon?

The park is open 24 hours per day throughout the year. There may be temporary road closures during and shortly after winter snow storms until plowing is completed and conditions are safe for visitor traffic. Road maintenance may require brief closures of individual areas at other times.

Visiting Bryce Canyon

The park receives close to 1.75 million visitors annually. Visitation peaks from June through September and is at its lowest in December, January and February.

Shuttles and Transportation For Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon Airport (4 miles), operated by Garfield County, has commercial flights from Las Vegas. Phone 435/834-5239 for current carriers and schedules. Private planes are welcome at this uncontrolled airport: Altitude: 7,586 feet; Runway Length: 7,400 feet; Runway Width: 75 feet. A shuttle service is available from the airport to local motels and recreational opportunities.

Sightseeing bus tours are available from St. George, Cedar City and Kanab, Utah.

Transportation in Bryce Canyon Park
Private vehicle rentals and bus tours originate outside the park.
In spring and summer, concession-operated horseback tours are offered in the park. Biking is permitted on paved roads only; there are no bike lanes. Bikes are not allowed on park trails (see section on adjacent attractions).

The Bryce Canyon Shuttle System: A FREE shuttle system enables visitors to enjoy the park and its natural and cultural beauty without the hassles of traffic. It also relieves some pressing natural resource protection concerns. It reduces the expenditure of tax dollars toward road maintenance and provides for better backcountry access. Visitors may park their vehicles at the Shuttle Staging Area (near Ruby’s Inn) or at Ruby’s Campground. Visitors can then board the shuttle from one of the stops listed below.

Shuttle Staging Area
Ruby’s Inn
Ruby’s Campground
Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
Sunset Campground
Bryce Point
Inspiration Point
Sunset Campground
Sunset Point
Bryce Canyon Lodge
Sunrise Point
Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
Shuttle Staging Area
Directions to Bryce Canyon
From north or south on U.S. 89, turn east on Utah 12 (seven miles south of Panguitch, Utah) and travel to the junction of Utah 12 and 63. Turn south (right) on Utah 63 and travel three miles to reach the park entrance. (Utah 12 continues east through the northern portion of the park.)

From the east, travel west on Utah 12 to the intersection of Utah 63. Turn south (left) to reach the park entrance.

Park Fees & Rates Bryce Canyon

Entrance fees

Passenger cars are charged $20 per 7-day visit

Bryce Canyon Campsites

$10 per site per night. (Golden Age and Golden Access Passport holders receive a 50% discount.) Backcountry permits are $5

Commercial Tours

Commercial tours are charged according to seating capacity as follows: $25 plus $5 per passenger for 1-6 seats; $50 for 7-15 seats; $60 for 16-25 seats; and $150 for 26 or more seats.

Golden Age & Eagle

($50 annual fee) ($10 one time fee) Passports are available at the park Entrance Station and are honored for occupants of noncommercial vehicles. Golden Access Passports are issued at the park visitor center.

Facilities and Opportunities In Bryce Canyon

Visitor Center/Exhibits: The park visitor center is open year round except Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. A ten-minute slide program, exhibits, restrooms, information, and backcountry permits are available here. In addition, maps and other publications are available for purchase through Bryce Canyon Natural History Association.

Trails, Roads: The 18-mile main park road winds along the edge of the plateau, terminating at the south end of the park. Return to the entrance via the same road. Spur roads and pullouts offer opportunities for viewing and trailhead parking. Park speed limits range from 25 to 35 mph and are strictly enforced.

In summer, parking at most viewpoints is extremely congested. Your best chance of finding a parking space at Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration, Bryce, and Paria Viewpoints is before 10:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m.

Because all of Bryce Canyon’s viewpoints are east of the main park road, we recommend that you drive the 18-mile road to the southern end of the park, start with Rainbow Point, then stop at the remaining viewpoints on your way back to the park entrance. This will help you to avoid making left turns in front of oncoming traffic.

Special Concerns:
Due to steep grades and limited parking, trailers are not allowed beyond Sunset Campground. Campers should leave trailers at their campsite. Day visitors should leave trailers at their overnight campground, at Ruby’s Inn free shuttle parking area just outside the park, at the park visitor center or at the trailer turn-around south of Sunset Campground.

No vehicles over 25 feet in length are allowed at Paria View where the parking area is too small for large vehicles to turn around.

Marked bus parking spaces are available at all parking lots which can accommodate buses. Bus engines should be turned off while parked. Motorhomes and trailers are not permitted in spaces designated for buses.

The park has over 50 miles of hiking trails with a range of distances and elevation change. Assess your ability and know your limits. Use caution if unaccustomed to the high altitude.

Ranger Programs and Activities In Bryce Canyon

Park rangers and volunteers conduct interpretive activities, including hikes, walks, geology talks and evening slide programs from late spring through early fall. Check at the park visitor center or Bryce Canyon Lodge for daily schedules.

Junior Ranger Program:
The Junior Ranger Program offers children ages 12 and under the opportunity to learn more about the park. Although the program is designed as an independent learning experience in an effort to accommodate individual family schedules, one important requirement is that the kids attend a ranger-guided activity. Recommended minimum time needed for completion of the program is approximately one full day. When kids fulfill their requirements, they can bring their completed booklets to the park visitor center and receive a Junior Ranger certificate. In addition, a special patch is available for $1.

Volunteers in Parks (VIPs):
Each year at Bryce Canyon, volunteers donate more than 10,000 hours of service–over 10% of the park’s workforce. VIPs help staff information desks, serve as campground hosts, patrol trails, build fences, work with computers, conduct wildlife surveys, take photographs, and more.

Currently the park is seeking volunteer applications for a winter/spring Museum Tech position. Call 435/834-4412 or visit the Volunteers In Parks Job Opportunities page of the NPS ParkNet website www.nps.gov/volunteer/jobs for a position description and on-line application.

To learn about other volunteer opportunities at Bryce Canyon, ask for an information packet at the visitor center or write to:
Superintendent, Bryce Canyon National Park,
P.O. Box 170001,
Bryce Canyon, UT 84717-0001.

Food & Supplies In Bryce Canyon

Amfac Parks and Resorts, Inc. operates a dining room in the Bryce Canyon Lodge, as well as a general store at Sunrise Point. Groceries, souvenirs, camping supplies, quick meals, restrooms, coin-operated showers and laundry facilities are available at the store from April through October.

Private stores in the immediate area are open all year for food, supplies and other services.

Other Concessions/NPs-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
In spring, summer and fall, wranglers lead horseback rides into Bryce Amphitheater along a dedicated horse trail as well as on the Peekaboo Loop Trail. Write to Canyon Trail Rides, PO Box 128, Tropic, UT 84776, or call 435/679-8665 or 435/834-5500 for information and reservations.

Accesibility of Bryce Canyon

Most park facilities were constructed between 1930 and 1960. Some have been upgraded for accessibility, while others could be used with assistance.

Because of the park’s natural terrain, only a half-mile section of Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Points is wheelchair accessible. The one-mile Bristlecone Loop Trail at Rainbow Point has a hard surface and could be used with assistance, but several grades do not meet standards.

Parking is marked at all overlooks and public facilities. Accessible campsites are available in Sunset Campground.

Basic Visit Recommendations:
Plan to spend from one to several days depending on your personal interests. Because of the wide variety of recreational opportunities on nearby private, state and other federal lands, you can easily plan an extended vacation in this area.

With a short time to spend in the park:

Stop at the Visitor Center for information, exhibits, and a ten-minute slide program. Publications and maps are available for purchase.
Drive to Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce viewpoints.
Hike a canyon trail or stroll along the rim. Check at the Visitor Center for current trail conditions.
Lunch at one of the designated picnic areas.
With one or more days to spend in the park (in addition to the above):

Drive to Rainbow Point (18 miles one way) and stop at the 13 viewpoints on your return trip. Check at the Visitor Center for current road conditions and closures.
Attend a ranger-guided activity (available during summer months).
Snowshoe or cross-country ski a designated trail on the plateau top. Rental equipment is available outside the park.

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